Completed in 1819, Decatur House is significant as the first private residence constructed on
Lafayette Square and the last of Benjamin Henry Latrobe's city houses in America to be
preserved. Latrobe is also known for his architectural work on the Capitol, the White House and
Saint John's Church. Like other Latrobe residential designs, Decatur House emphasizes the
vestibule, making it the architectural center of the interior. The vestibule's reconciliation of three
geometric forms (rectangle, circle, and semicircle) is another of Latrobe's architectural
contributions, one first seen in his designs for the Capitol.

The house was designed for
Commodore Stephen Decatur who was at the height of his naval career when the house was
constructed, and he and his wife, Susan Wheeler Decatur, wished to establish themselves in
Washington society. The Decaturs lived on Lafayette Square only 14 months--Commodore
Decatur was slain in a gentlemen's duel with Commodore James Barron on March 20, 1820.

The
house's second great era was ushered in with its purchase in 1871 and occupancy by General and
Mrs. Edward Fitzgerald Beale. Modifications made during the Beale years resulted in a rich
Victorization of Latrobe's classical design. Upon Mrs. Beale's death in 1902, Decatur House
became the property of their son Truxton and his wife, Marie Beale. Restoration in 1944 and
again during the 1960s attempted to return the Decatur house to its original architectural
appearance. Overtly threatened with destruction three times in the past, Decatur has served as an
anchor in saving remaining historic buildings lining Lafayette Square. In 1956, Mrs. Marie Beale
bequeathed Decatur House to the National Trust for Historic Preservation. In 2010, the White House Historical Association entered into a co-stewardship agreement with the Trust, incorporating the Decatur House and its adjoining complex into the educational and research mission of the Association.

Decatur House is open to the public for scheduled tours on Mondays at 11:00am, 12:30pm, and 2:00pm. Tours meet at 1610 H Street, NW, where the White House History Shop is also open to visitors. Metro stop: Farragut West and Farragut North.